DAVAO CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA) – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has urged Dabawenyos to do their part in protecting the women and their children from any form of violence.
“Let us vow to speak up, to take action and to report any form of violence against women in our communities,” Duterte stated in her message during Wednesday’s virtual launch of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women which is being celebrated from November 25 to December 12.
She said, “Know that the city government of Davao has zero tolerance against violence against women and children which is why our integrated gender and development division and our barangay VAWC desks are here to help you.”
Lorna Mandin, chief of Davao City LGU’s Integrated Gender and Development Division, emphasized that while there are women and children who suffer from any form of abuse, the government will continue to educate, campaign and provide services to put an end to gender-based violence.
“And again, all of us are challenged and hope we are all committed to answer or respond to the call that violence free community starts with me,” Mandin said during the virtual launch which was jointly spearheaded by IGDD and the Department of Tourism (DOT-XI).
Also in the virtual launch, Davao City Councilor Richilyn Justol-Baguilod shared that the council has passed in the first reading a proposal to institutionalize through an ordinance the men’s responsibility in gender and development.
Baguilod bared that the ordinance will be known as the Davao City’s MR-GAD Ordinance.
The city councilor revealed that they are scheduled “on second reading the passage of the safe spaces ordinance which penalize gender-based sexual harassments in streets, online and other public places making sure that women are not violated anywhere and everywhere in the city.”
Baguilod also took pride of the city’s Women’s Development Code which she said has become more responsive, stronger and more rationalized to promote women’s rights.
She said there have been amendments made which strengthened for instance, the gender-based mechanisms and structures, institutionalized local committee against trafficking and violence against women and brought response and referral services closer to women and children in order to arrest situations of violence in the community.
This year’s 18-day campaign to end VAW carries the theme: “VAW free community starts with me.” (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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